FEATURED: OUR EMIR, ALHAJI (DR) IBRAHIM SULU-GAMBARI, CFR

By 

Abdulhakeem Abdulkareem

Leader of kings, a political and Islamic leader whose leadership is widely accepted both far and near. A blood of royalty with simple and exemplary lifestyle. A man of many distinctions both in and outside the emirate. Such is Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, the emir of Ilorin, a town with many tribes and language yet the most peaceful in Nigeria. Being a judge and a just leader, the emir of Ilorin has diplomatically and enigmatically maintained peaceful coexistence among his people. Apart from his discipline, the nature of the emir has proved to all and sundry that he is a leader to reckon with. No wonder he was among the delegates chosen to reconstruct the future of Nigeria through their wealth of experience at the 2014 National Conference.

EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION

Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari had a pure royal birth to the family of Alhaji (Dr.) Muhammad Sulukarnaini Gambari (the 9th Emir of Ilorin) and Hajiya Aisha (Mairamjo Mai Baban Daki) Abdul-Kadir (8th Emir of Ilorin) Bn Shuaib Bawan Allah (7th Emir of Ilorin) on the  April 22nd, 1940. Evidence revealed that the young prince started his education in 1945 with the Arabic and Quranic studies at the popular Ile Gbagba Quranic School along Balogun Gambari road under the tutorship of Late Mallam Abdulsalami, popularly known as Audu Imale.

In 1945, despite the royal blood that flows in him, the young prince started primary education at the United Primary School, a community-owned school, contrary to the prevailing tradition of attending Government or Native Authority schools by children of noble birth. Thereafter, in 1957, he proceeded to Offa Grammar School for his secondary education even though he got an admission to attend the famous Barewa College, Zaria. Thereafter, he proceeded to Oakham, England four years after for the completion of his secondary education. In 1963, he obtained his A’ level certificate at the City Westminster College. In 1965, he obtained a degree in Law at the University of London and his LL.M at the same institution in 1967. Within 1967 and 1968, he returned to Nigeria to attend the Nigerian Law School. Even though he started lately, he graduated with his mates and was called to bar at the supreme court of justice.

WORKING EXPERIENCE

After the completion of his education, His Royal Highness Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari went to the chambers of H.O. Davies, QC, and SAN for a year pupilage. Thereafter, in 1969, he joined the old Gongola State Civil Service as a Substantive State Counsel and later rose through the ranks to the position of Principal State Counsel Grade One by January 1975 and by March 15th, was made the Solicitor General of Gongola state.

On 1st of January, 1977, he was appointed the Acting Judge of the High Court in Bauchi, Boro, and Gongola states becoming the youngest judge in Nigeria at that time. After eighteen months of service in this position, he was appointed the Substantive Judge of the High Court of Borno state. Furthering his activities in public service, he was considered due for further promotion and in 1983, was made a Judge of the Court of Appeal and was posted to Ibadan where he served for eight years. Later in 1991, he was transferred to the Lagos state division as the Presiding Justice, this, he held till he was called to ascend to his birth duty as the Emir of Ilorin.

THE 11TH EMIR OF ILORIN

After the death of his uncle, Lamido Mallam Abdul-Kadir (the 10th Emir of Ilorin) Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari was called upon to inherit the throne on his forebears. His appointment took effect on the 18th of August, 1995 and the coronation of the 11th Emir took place on the 11th day of the 11th month (November) of 1995. Since his ascent to the throne, Ilorin has benefited a lot from his wealth of experience and versatility. His reign has been peaceful and prosperous. There have been dramatic change in the social, political, economic and cultural standards of the emirate. His love for education and modernization has helped in transforming the emirate from mere conference Centre of North and South of Nigeria to a Centre of Harmony, Civilization and Tourism. Recently, the Emir championed the renovation of the Ilorin Central Mosque which attracted several donations from home and abroad Nigeria. The commissioning of the refurbished Central Mosques was witnessed by many dignitaries, Kings, Politicians, businessmen among others. The Mosque is regarded as one of the most beautiful, well-structured and well-designed mosques in Nigeria.

AWARDS AND HONOURS

Apart from being a youngest judge of the court, he is the Grand-Patron of the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU). Equally, the Emir of Ilorin was made the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) in the year 2000 and the Chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka in 2001 respectively by the president and Commander-in-chief of the Arm forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (GCFR). Also in 2008, he was honoured with a Doctorate Degree in Science by the University of Applied Science & Management, Port Novo, Benin Republic among other notable awards and honours attached to his name.

Finally, our Emir, Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, his happily married with children and grandchildren. We pray to Allah to continue to increase his wealth and affluence and we also pray that he stays long on the throne of his forefathers.

Abdulhakeem Abdulkareem

This article was written as part of the publication for the Emirate Flute, an annual publication of the Ilorin Emirates Student Students Union, University of Ilorin chapter in 2015. Abdulhakeem is from Ilorin but currently resides in Abuja, FCT. He can be reached at abdulhakeemabdulkareem27@gmail.com.